Start-up Support
The innovation and entrepreneurship support that you need, when you need it
About the Programme:
Have an innovative idea but not sure where to start? Facing a challenge with your start-up? Or simply need fresh suggestions to help your venture grow?
CIE’s Start-up Support programme is here for you. This flexible programme offers a comprehensive support system for ventures at different stages. Based on a rolling enrolment basis, it is designed to meet the needs of early-stage ventures by providing continuous access to critical resources and a flexible timeline for growth.
CIE’s programmes are free for University of Auckland students and staff. These co-curricular programmes help develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills alongside formal studies. While there are no formal assessments, participation may count towards the co-curricular recognition programme and the Distinguished Graduate Award.
Share your story and let us help you move forward.
Your Opportunity:
- Personalised Advice: Get tailored feedback, guidance, and suggestions from experienced advisors, mentors, and experts.
- Tap into the Ecosystem: Connect with our award-winning CIE programmes team, subject matter experts, and others in the innovation community depending on your development needs.
- Keep Moving Forward: Leave with actionable steps to advance your venture.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop core skills for building viable ventures.
- Build valuable professional networks and industry connections for your venture and/or innovative career.
- Refine your initial idea into a viable venture plan or get support to pivot.
- Progress toward potential entry into the Venture Lab programme.
How It Works:
The Start-Up Support flexible programme offers a comprehensive support system for ventures at different stages, from ideation to scale-up. The programme provides a supportive community with opportunities for mentoring, networking, and access to subject-matter experts, as well as practical resources like physical space, online tools, and progress tracking. This programme is adaptable to accommodate varying levels of engagement and diverse growth trajectories.
The Start-up Support programme provides resources and community engagement across the following areas:
- Start-up Studio
- Networking Events/Get-togethers (Start-up Studio members only)
- One-Day Startup Workshop
- Professional Development, speaker sessions, Lunch-and-Learn sessions, Tech and Prototyping sessions (Start-up Studio members only)
- Start-Up Fireside Chats
- Mentorship and Expert Access (Start-up Studio members only)
- Progress Tracking and check-ins with CIE (Start-up Studio members who are interested in joining Venture Lab)
How to Join:
Come and see us in person at Unleash Space (no booking needed):
- Monday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Book a virtual conversation with one of our friendly Programmes team:
You will have an opportunity to share your entrepreneurial story and any questions or challenges you need help with. We will then identify what support or resources would be useful to you at this stage.
Questions?
Reach out to us at cie_programmes@auckland.ac.nz.
Our Mentors
Vishal Chaddha
Advises on product market fit, Go-To-Market strategy, and building scale profitably.
Warner Cowin
Advises on developing clear business strategies, planning and implementing organisational change, driving innovation, and improving operational performance.
Mike Evans
Advises on developing and managing technology start-ups, creating IP, apps, and products for web and mobile.
Sam Fielden
Advises on value-proposition development and communication, business model development, IP management, and licensing frameworks.
Sasha Lockley
Advises on customer vision and experience, team dynamics, leadership, and storytelling. She translates numbers, risk, opportunity, and impact into a compelling story.
Mahesh Muralidhar
Advises on getting 0-1 (revenue positive), high-performance teams, inclusivity, goal-setting, product/market fit, and scaling operations.
Bruce Randolph Tizes
Advises early founders and companies on general business strategy, management, innovation, science, operations, and risk.
Dr. Nan Yang
Advises on accelerating deep-tech startup businesses to find their product/market fit.
About the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides a world of opportunity to participants so that they can stand out and create value through innovative careers and start-up creation.
CIE is New Zealand’s leading University entrepreneurship centre, winning 12 international awards since 2020.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
